Timo
Werner will improve Chelsea next season after the "hugely talented" forward
completed his move from RB Leipzig, says Frank Lampard.
Werner has agreed a five-year deal at Stamford Bridge and becomes Chelsea's
second signing of the summer after Ajax's Hakim Ziyech.
The 24-year-old Germany international is set to earn more than €10m (£9m)
per season in England after Chelsea agreed to pay €50m (£45m) to trigger his
release clause.
During an online news conference on Friday, Chelsea head coach Lampard said:
"He's clearly a player that we liked. I've certainly followed him for a long
time myself individually just because he's a talented player.
"As a club we went for him and he will certainly strengthen us, in my
opinion. He's hugely talented, had a fantastic season this year but before
that as well.
"Where we couldn't do as much business in the last couple of windows for
whatever reasons it's given us a chance to see some youth have more time in
the team, but we were very clear about wanting to improve.
"Timo Werner is a signing who will improve us. I'm certainly very excited to
have him playing for Chelsea and we look forward to having him."
Werner excited to join Chelsea
Werner has made a total of 157 appearances for RB Leipzig, scoring 93 goals
and making 40 assists, and has developed into one of Europe's most coveted
forwards.
He will remain with RB Leipzig for the remainder of the Bundesliga season
before joining up with his new team-mates next month.
Lampard added: "We worked as hard as we could to sign him. I had good
conversations with him personally where he hopefully understands what I want
to do here with the club in terms of how we work, how we play.
"It seems to have come across as a really exciting project for him because
he obviously had some very good options so we're happy with that. We're just
pleased that Timo has decided to come to us."
Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta says the signing of striker Timo Werner
from RB Leipzig can help the club compete for the Premier League title next
season
Latest on Pedro, Willian contracts
Lampard has acted swiftly in the transfer market to secure the services of
Werner and Ziyech, and has also been linked with a move for Leicester
left-back Ben Chilwell.
The Chelsea boss refused to comment on that speculation, but did say talks
with current players Pedro and Willian regarding short-term contract
extensions until the end of the season are continuing.
"They're ongoing and we have until next week to find a solution. It will be
good to finish the season with the squad we started with," he said.
Lampard on Premier League return
Chelsea resume their Premier League season away to Aston Villa on Super
Sunday, live on Sky Sports, with Lampard's side currently fourth in the
table.
They are three points ahead of fifth-placed Manchester United as the battle
for the Champions League places takes centre stage, and Lampard is confident
his players can finish the campaign strongly - despite difficult
circumstances.
"I think there a lot of challenges and a lot of them I think we've already
encountered in this short period of trying to get the players fit for these
games," Lampard said.
"They were off for a long time, we've had to try and guard against injury
whilst getting as fit as we can and I think we'll see that in the early
games.
"Everyone is in the same situation and we need to make the players as aware
as we can of the challenges that are coming up.
"Things will be different but one thing that pretty much remains the same is
the players on the pitch realise what's at stake in these games and
performing to the best of their abilities to try and win for Chelsea, so
that's the focus and we'll try and take that into every game."
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